Facebook fictions

It is a shame that quackery has so negatively affected the serious parapsychological research outlined by Dr Caroline Watt (Comment, August 11). I have had two experiences, one following childbirth when I "left" my body, the other, years earlier, after a religious intervention by a church minister. Thankfully this experience left me sceptical, both of religion and the paranormal, so I could put my later experience down to loss of blood.
Joy MacDonaldCamberley, Surrey

Studying parapsychology stimulates critical thinking. So would studying arguments for the earth being flat, but that doesn't mean universities should explore planar geomorphology. The fact that 50% of people believe in the paranormal should lead to studies of irrational belief, not of nonexistent phenomena.Karl SabbaghNewbold on Stour, Warwickshire

Radio 1 did come about through the banning of the offshore pirate radio stations in 1967 (Smashing. And Nice, August 10), but so did Radio 2 and Radio 4. It was a little disingenuous not to mention the fact that it was not the BBC that forced the closedown, but the postmaster general, thereby nationalising popular music - one more loss of freedom.Chris ArcherAshbourne, Derbyshire

The best way to preserve Brazil's rainforest is to protect Indians' land: rates of deforestation are up to 20 times higher outside reserves (Brazilian ministers claim victory in war on illegal loggers, August 13). But Brazilian tribes are still waiting for their land to be recognised.Stephen Corry Director, Survival International

The best advice for users of networking sites is to lie (Facebook's code leak raises fears of fraud, August 13). Using a different birth date for every site will make it difficult for identity thieves. Making up other information makes it even harder.Jeffrey BaumgartnerErps-Kwerps, Belgium

I wasn't concerned about the Sopranos photo controversy (Letters, July 9), but now, thanks to Jay McInerney (Review, August 11), I know what happened to Christopher. Bada bing.Michael NashLondon